New way to make computers functions like human brain

Researchers in US have developed a superconducting switch that learns like its biological counterpart The switch called a synapse could connect processors and store memories within future computers operating like the human brain The switch developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST in Colorado supplies a missing piece for socalled neuromorphic computers according to the study described in journal Science AdvancesEnvisioned as a new type of artificial intelligence such computers could boost perception and decisionmaking for applications such as selfdriving cars and cancer diagnosis Xinhua reported Biological synapse is a connection or switch between two brain cells NISTs artificial synapse a squat metallic cylinder 10 micrometers in diameter is a connecting switch between incoming electrical spikes and the signals being output It works in the same way that a human synapse quickly switches between two brain cellsAccording to the study NISTs synapse would be used in neuromorphic computers made of superconducting components which can transmit electricity without resistance and therefore would be more efficient than other designs based on semiconductors or software Data would be transmitted processed and stored in units of magnetic flux The NIST synapse has lower energy needs than the human synapse and we dont know of any other artificial synapse that uses less energy NIST physicist Mike Schneider saidCompared to a brain cells 50 times per second NIST synapse is capable of firing 1 billion times per second The more firing between cells or processors the stronger the connection Both the real and artificial synapses can thus maintain old circuits and create new ones The new synapse would be used to make neuromorphic computers computers that function like the human brain a realityThese conceptual machines are made of superconducting components which can transmit electricity without resistance and therefore would be more efficient than other designs based on semiconductors or software Data would be transmitted processed and stored in units of magnetic flux Other superconducting devices mimicking the human brain cells and transmission have been developed in the past but efficient synapses have been missing And NISTs synapse now could be the crucial invention that would essentially tie them all togetherCrucially the synapses can also be stacked in three dimensions 3D to make large systems that could be used for computing NIST researchers created a circuit model to simulate how such a system would operateCatch up on all the latest Mumbai National and International news hereDownload the new midday Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go